Philadelphia @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) Philadelphia 2, Chi. Cubs 0

The advancing age of the Philadelphia Phillies’ core won’t become an issue if Chase Utley can stay healthy and keep hitting home runs. Utley will look to homer for the third straight game when the visiting Phillies go for a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The Cubs could use some power in their lineup and own a total of seven extra-base hits through their first five games to go along with 51 strikeouts.

Chicago is tinkering with its lineup as it breaks in several new players but has yet to find a combination that will deliver with runners in scoring position. The Cubs are 4-for-40 in that situation and wasted several opportunities to get to Philadelphia starter Cliff Lee in Saturday’s 2-0 setback - their second shutout of the first five games. The Phillies have gotten five extra-base hits from Utley alone, and the veteran slugger is 5-for-8 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored in the first two games of the series.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH A.J. Burnett (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Carlos Villanueva (0-2, 13.50)

Burnett came out strong in his Philadelphia debut at Texas on Tuesday, surrendering one run on seven hits in six innings but not factoring in the decision when the bullpen let the lead slip. The veteran has plenty of experience against Chicago from his time in Pittsburgh last season and went 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts against the Cubs in 2013. Justin Ruggiano and Anthony Rizzo have each homered off Burnett, however.

Villanueva earned the No. 5 starter’s spot in spring training but appeared out of the bullpen twice in the first week, surrendering two runs on four hits in 1 1/3 total innings. The 30-year-old made 15 of his 47 appearances as a starter in 2013 and went 1-7 with a 4.50 ERA in that role. Villanueva faced the Phillies only once in 2013, tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief Aug. 31, and has held Utley to 0-for-9 with five strikeouts in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs' Emilio Bonifacio is off to a 13-for-24 start with four stolen bases.

2. The Phillies' Domonic Brown has driven in three runs in the series.

3. Chicago's Luis Valbuena and Ryan Sweeney are likely to start against the right-handed Burnett.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Phillies 3